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Experts discuss bilingualism, perils of language hierarchy at SIBF 2019

Web Desk 08:28 PM | 5 Nov, 2019
Experts discuss bilingualism, perils of language hierarchy at SIBF 2019

SHARJAH – The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2019 hosted a session titled ‘Bilingualism’, with speakers reflecting on issues like the need to advocate the knowledge of more than one language in order to foster learning, among future generations. It also pondered over the imminent perils visible in language hierarchy.

Fabrice Juamont, author of The Bilingual Revolution: The Future of Education is in Two Languages, started the discussion by telling the audience about a hugely monolingual American society and the threat that it poses due to lack of knowledge, ambiguity and homophobia.

Recalling the incident that took place a few weeks ago in the US, he says, “You could really put yourselves in great danger even walking New York streets, if you spoke in Spanish, Chinese or even Arabic. A group of Spanish speakers got shot at, in a Texas supermarket due to the different language that they spoke”.

Reflecting on the issue Dr Mansour Al Shamshi, Professor of Political Science at American University of Ras al Khaimah continued, “my observation is my students who’ve studied English right from the beginning have neither mastered English nor are they good at Arabic, which is their mother tongue, although, I do admit that English is more than just a functional language in today’s world. It’s perhaps the most important language of communication and often people judge you based on that”.

 

Conceding to this point Juamont argued that language hierarchy most certainly existed, with an over emphasis on English which is now considered to be the global language. It overrides all other languages, often eroding our mother tongues. He says, “all languages are equal but unfortunately, there is a certain amount of prestige associated with few languages in the linguistic environment. The biggest challenge is to eliminate this kind of discrimination. We should encourage linguistic diversity instead”.

Juamont thus concludes the session by urging educators and academicians to bring in at least dual language education programmes into effect, by embracing heritage languages, producing bilingual global citizens and creating a cultural sense of community.

He simultaneously appeals to parents to encourage their children to be multilingual or at least bilingual. He says, “Through my research I’ve discovered pioneering mothers, fathers, teachers, and principals share the belief that bilingual education can positively transform a child, a school, a community, and even a country. For many families its essential to maintain and preserve our cultural heritage for a society to thrive. If we don’t encourage that we lose speakers, heritage and culture. It’s a shame not to invest in it.

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Daily Pakistan Global Web Desk

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Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal rates on March 31, 2023

KARACHI - Following are the foreign currency exchange rates for US Dollar, Saudi Riyal, UK Pound Sterling, U.A.E. Dirham, European Euro, and other foreign currencies in Pakistan open market on March 31, 2023 (Friday).

Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar ‎USD 283.8 286.6
Euro EUR 306 309
UK Pound Sterling GBP 347.5 351
U.A.E Dirham AED 77.2 79.9
Saudi Riyal SAR 75.6 76.4
Australian Dollar AUD 187.5 189.9
Bahrain Dinar BHD 753.99 761.99
Canadian Dollar CAD 206.5 208.7
China Yuan CNY 41.25 41.65
Danish Krone DKK 41.26 41.51
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.11 36.46
Indian Rupee INR 3.45 3.56
Japanese Yen JPY 2.15 2.22
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 925.67 934.67
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 62.85 63.45
New Zealand Dollar NZD 175.57 177.58
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.33 26.63
Omani Riyal OMR 736.34 744.35
Qatari Riyal ‎QAR 77.92 78.62
Singapore Dollar SGD 209.5 211.5
Swedish Korona SEK 26.5 26.8
Swiss Franc CHF 308.25 310.75
Thai Bhat THB 8.28 8.43

Today's gold rates in Pakistan – 31 March 2023

KARACHI - The price of a single tola of 24-karat gold in Pakistan is Rs 208,200 on Friday. The price of 10 grams of 24k gold was recorded at Rs178,500.   

Likewise, 10 grams of 22k gold were being traded for Rs163,624 while a single tola of 22-karat gold was being sold at Rs 190,849.

Note: The gold rate in Pakistan is fluctuating according to the international market so the price is never been fixed. The below rates are provided by local gold markets and Sarafa Markets of different cities.

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Karachi PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Islamabad PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Peshawar PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Quetta PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Sialkot PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Attock PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Gujranwala PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Jehlum PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Multan PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Bahawalpur PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Gujrat PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Nawabshah PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Chakwal PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Hyderabad PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Nowshehra PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Sargodha PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470
Faisalabad PKR 208,200 PKR 2,470

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